Opportunity

Human Factors Engineering: Designing for the Human

IAP 2018: Learn the fundamentals of Human Factors and put them to use in your own Human-Centered Design

Hosted by: MIT-SUTD International Design Center

Instructor: Dr. Ben D Sawyer, Research Scientist, AgeLab, Department of Engineering

  • Enrollment: Limited to 24 participants
  • Advance sign-up required. Sign-up by Jan. 10
  • Attendance: Participants must attend all sessions
  • Prereq: None

In this class, you will learn the fundamentals of Human Factors, and put them to use in your own Human-Centered Design. Each team will choose a common tool or device to reimagine for a specific population. The winning team will receive publicity and write-ups at both MIT and in the popular press.

We have all seen beautiful, well-engineered products that were a pain to actually use. Successful design and engineering is far more likely when the human is considered as part of the process. Join Build an Understanding of Human Performance, Physiology, and Psychology — a body of knowledge called Human Factors. Human factors professionals are in demand from Silicon Valley to the Department of Defense to the developing world.

From day one, you and your team will actively discuss and collaborate on your redesign. Each day, learn about the fundamentals of Human Factors, with guest speakers explaining how human-centered design is used in industry and government. Workshop space for projects will be available at the International Design Center (IDC).

Dr. Ben D. Sawyer’s work has been covered by Forbes, Reuters, Fast Company, and The BBC. He is the winner of The Human Factors Prize for 2017, led the first driving evaluation of Google Glass, and formerly worked with the US Air Force’s BATMAN group, evaluating and designing new technologies for airmen. For more information, visit bendsawyer.com.

So, are you up to the challenge of designing for the human? Sign up today: space is limited.

Details

  • Tuesday, January 16, 2018 @ 3:30–5:00 pm
  • Wednesday, January 17, 2018 @ 3:30–5:00 pm
  • Thursday, January 18, 2018 @ 3:30–5:00 pm
  • Friday, January 19, 2018 @ 3:30–5:00 pm
  • Monday, January 22, 2018 @ 3:30–5:00 pm

All sessions will take place at the International Design Center (N52-337). Bring notebook and sketching supplies.

Contact: Dr. Ben D Sawyer